When you’re just about plucked (and waxed) out, laser hair removal can provide a welcome respite from your painstaking hair removal routine.
Chetco Medical & Aesthetics of Brookings, OR, combines time-tested expertise with breakthrough technology to provide gentle and highly effective laser hair removal treatments.
But what exactly is hair removal? How are patients supposed to prepare, and who is eligible in the first place? This beginner-friendly guide will walk you through these important questions and more so that you can make a truly confident and informed decision.
How Exactly Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Did you know that “laser” is actually an acronym? It stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation” (no wonder they shortened it). Understanding what lasers are can help you grasp how precise and gentle this treatment is.
The main gist of laser hair removal is this: concentrated laser light is applied to hair follicles, damaging the follicle and killing the hair.
Laser hair removal treatments can be applied to many areas throughout the body, including the face. Because current treatments allow the laser light to be applied with extreme precision, this treatment is safe for the surrounding skin (see possible side effects below).
The applicator uses rapid pulses to deliver laser light to treatment areas, making for a very quick treatment.
As for staying power, results can vary based on many factors, but the majority of laser hair removal patients who complete the recommended number of treatments can expect permanent or long-lasting results. Slight regrowth can occur, but rarely to the extent that it was before.
Who Is Laser Hair Removal For?
Like any procedure, there are various factors that can determine a person’s eligibility for laser hair removal.
The best way to determine your eligibility is to meet with a laser hair removal expert at Chetco Medical & Aesthetics. While this procedure is fully customizable for a broad range of hair and skin tones, there are several other factors that may affect your eligibility, including (but not limited to):
- Certain medications (e.g., antibiotics and blood thinners)
- Conditions (herpes, psoriasis, melanoma, keloid scars)
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
As always, safety is the top consideration, and consulting with an expert is the best way to be sure you can receive the treatment safely.
What Factors Affect Treatment Success?
While each patient’s preparation can be slightly different based on their unique circumstances, there are several general recommendations that most people can follow to maximize the chances of a successful laser hair removal regimen.
For example, ceasing your use of blood thinners (if possible) and limiting sun exposure for several weeks prior to starting treatment may help effectiveness. Avoiding most other hair removal techniques (waxing, plucking, etc.) will allow the hairs’ roots to be present for the laser treatment.
Finally, trimming hair in the affected area before treatment can also improve efficacy.
On the clinical side, high-quality equipment and clinician expertise are key to ensuring a precisely targeted and effective treatment. This is why Chetco Medical & Aesthetics uses the CLARITYTM laser, which uses dual-wavelength technology to allow for tailor-made, pinpoint-accurate treatments.
What Can Patients Expect During the Treatment Itself?
Depending on the treatment provider, the equipment they use, and the patient’s unique set of circumstances, approaches to laser hair removal can vary slightly.
However, most treatment sessions tend to follow a general blueprint.
First, the technician will trim the hair of the intended treatment area as necessary. In most cases, they will want very short hair (think stubble). Oftentimes, the technician will then apply a topical numbing agent, as the laser can produce a stinging sensation during treatment.
In addition to the numbing agent, the technician may also apply a special gel to the skin that protects it from the laser while enhancing penetration. The concept is similar to therapeutic or prenatal ultrasounds, which also involve applying gel.
Once the patient is fully prepped, it’s simply a matter of applying the laser pulses to the area and monitoring for several minutes after the fact to ensure that the skin does not show any adverse reactions.
What About Downtime and Side Effects?
It’s very unlikely that you would have to take off work or cancel important engagements following a laser hair removal treatment.
However, while there is no “official downtime,” you still may experience some mild swelling and redness of the treated areas for a short period (usually less than a week). You also may notice increased sensitivity to sunlight, so it’s wise to limit exposure in the days following treatment.
The possible redness, swelling, and sensitivity encompass the vast majority of reported symptoms, and all are generally mild and short-lived. If you experience severe and/or less common symptoms, it’s always a good idea to report these to your technician and/or members of your healthcare team.
Choose Industry-Leading Tech and Expertise With Chetco Medical and Aesthetics
As easy as it might look on the surface (pun intended), there is much more to laser hair removal than “pointing and zapping.” Not all approaches are created equal, and frankly, not all providers have mastered the nuances of highly effective laser hair removal treatment.
At Chetco Medical & Aesthetics of Brookings, OR, we only use the most effective and customizable treatments to produce the exact results you’re looking for—all delivered by highly trained and skillful technicians.
Whether it’s your first time or not, we’re here to listen to your needs and accommodate them safely and effectively. Contact us online or call 541-204-6200 to get started on a game-changing treatment plan.
